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Tolleson’s Distance Learning Academy reports enrollment growth and higher course-completion rates
Summary
District leaders presented data showing the Distance Learning Academy increased enrollment to 662 students by March and reported improved semester credit-earning rates after standardizing Canvas course shells and expanding supports.
The Tolleson Union High School District’s Distance Learning Academy reported measurable growth and improved student outcomes during a presentation to the district governing board on April 5.
The academy’s principal, Colton Tongard, told the board the program reached an enrollment of 662 students by March — 162 above a goal set for the year — and that semester-to-semester comparisons show increases in course credit completion in core subjects. “Our vision is we are committed to fostering a culture of successful lifelong learning through a personalized online educational experience,” Tongard said.
Tongard said the academy followed the same asynchronous instructional model for the second year in a row, which enabled valid comparisons to prior-year data. He said core subject credit-earning rates rose by 8 to 13 percent year over year, with smaller gains in world language (6 percent) and career and technical education (3 percent). He identified art and physical education as areas that need additional interventions because many freshmen take those classes and struggle in an online format.
Staff attributed some gains to a standardized Canvas course shell created by a teacher team led by academic coach Leslie Suarez Osborne. “All classes follow the same template and format so that our students know what to expect,” Tongard said, explaining that the template reduces students’ time spent locating materials so they can focus on learning.
The academy offers three pacing options: regular-paced classes that follow the district semester schedule, rapid-paced classes that complete a semester in nine weeks, and flex-paced courses for midterm transfers or students with other scheduling needs. Tongard said students are assigned four classes upon enrollment and can access teacher support via Microsoft Teams each weekday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Tongard also highlighted career-technical education (CTE) offerings, including marketing, business operations and coding, and noted DLA is one of two schools in the state the district is aware of that offers CTE courses fully online. He said staff members who attended a national digital learning conference brought back strategies used districtwide and that 100 percent of DLA staff had accepted contracts for the next school year as of his presentation.
Board members thanked staff and identified next steps. One member asked for details on interventions planned for art and physical education; Tongard said the school is developing targeted supports and will share them with the board when ready.
The district presentation included student and staff recognitions from the academy, including classroom exemplars and a student-of-the-year selection. Tongard emphasized outreach and marketing work — including billboards and media segments — as factors that have expanded the program’s visibility.
The governing board did not take action on the presentation; it was provided for information and discussion.
